Frequently asked questions

There are no specific qualifications or prerequisites required to apply for the certification. The program is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of life and educational experiences.

The goal is to empower people from all walks of life, so there is no need for prior project management experience or formal education.

Initially, we typically limit partner organizations to nominating up to 10 participants. This allows us to assess the program’s success within your community based on graduation rates and the social impact achieved.

If the program is successful, there are opportunities to expand and nominate additional participants in the future.

We regularly invite partners to participate through specific grant rounds. However, we also accept out-of-session applications on a rolling basis, allowing flexibility for organizations to join the program when the timing is right for them.

While we primarily work with organizations to nominate participants, we do consider a small number of individual applicants on a case-by-case basis. However, our preference is for individuals to apply through a partnering organization, as this ensures better support and structure throughout the certification process.

Having an existing project to apply their skills to can be helpful for scholarship candidates, but it is not a requirement. The certification program is designed to provide valuable project management skills that can be applied to future projects or opportunities.

The Center for Project Innovation is internationally accredited by the US government and its treaty partners as the official certifying body for the following project management credentials:

• Certified Project Officer
• Certified Project Professional
• Certified Project Master
• Certified Project Director
• Certified Project Trainer

As a condition of certification, our alumni and mentors are required to uphold best practice principles outlined in our Code of Ethics for Project Management Professionals.

Participants are assessed through the OPEN online project management portal, which includes 12 units. Each unit contains around 10 topics, delivered through microlearning modules. Assessment is done via online quizzes, ensuring that participants can demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and skills.

Upon successful completion of all units and assessments, participants receive their certification.

We ensure the integrity of student work through a combination of AI technology and manual review. Our system can detect suspicious behavior, such as collusion, the use of bots, or other forms of academic dishonesty.

This dual approach helps maintain the credibility and authenticity of the certification program, ensuring that participants genuinely acquire the skills and knowledge they are being certified for.

Yes, participants can re-take assessments if they do not pass on their first attempt. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and non-native English speakers, as it allows them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve their understanding without the pressure of a single attempt. It supports a more inclusive learning environment, ensuring that all participants have the chance to succeed.

Yes, completing OPEN serves as a prerequisite for higher-level certifications with the Center for Project Innovation or academic credit with our partner colleges and universities.

This allows participants to build on their project management knowledge and pursue further education or advanced qualifications, opening up additional opportunities for career growth and development.

The certification equips participants with essential project management skills that are highly valued across a wide range of industries. This can improve their employability, enable them to take on more complex roles, and advance their careers.

For many, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the certification builds confidence, opens doors to new job opportunities, and enhances their ability to contribute effectively to their organizations and communities.

Yes, the certification can help participants gain internships or work experience, as many of our partner organizations include it as part of their placements. However, while the certification is a valuable asset, facilitating internships or work experience is not CPI’s responsibility or guarantee.

Opportunities may vary depending on the partner organization.

Our certifications need to be renewed every five years; however, there are no membership fees, charges, subscriptions, or reassessments required to maintain the certification. Once certified, participants can renew their credentials indefinitely.

Participants often benefit from study groups or industry projects organized by their partner organizations, which provide practical experience and peer support.

Additionally, we offer an on-demand help desk to assist students with any inquiries they may have throughout the course, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

To complete the course, participants need access to the Internet and a device (such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone). The program is deliberately low-tech, making it accessible to individuals with basic technology and internet access.

Yes, the course is WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliant, ensuring that it meets accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities. We are also always open to feedback on how to improve accessibility and make the course more inclusive for all participants.

The course is offered in English. However, it is accessible to all browser translation plugins, which can help participants who speak other languages. The course content is written in deliberately plain English, making it easier for non-native speakers to understand.

Additionally, many participants use the course as an opportunity to improve their English language skills while gaining project management expertise.

Yes, participants have lifetime access to the course materials even after certification. Additionally, the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and thinking in project management, ensuring that participants can stay current with industry developments as they evolve.

Participants have unlimited access to the course, meaning it never expires. However, the free scholarship offer must be utilized within 12 months of commencement. After this period, the scholarship may no longer cover the costs if the course remains incomplete.

No, you do not need qualified project management trainers to lead local support. However, familiarity with the course content can be very helpful.

Everything participants need is included in the course, and partners are encouraged to provide additional support by contextualizing the material with relatable examples and experiences relevant to their specific community or sector.

Yes, partners are expected to promote the program ethically and fairly. This includes avoiding any misrepresentation, such as exaggerating the benefits or making false claims about the program.

For example, partners should not promise guaranteed job placements or mislead participants about the nature of the certification. Failure to adhere to these ethical standards may result in the termination of the partnership.

Yes, tailoring the program to meet specific community needs is encouraged. Organizations can choose to customize the program themselves to better fit their local context, or CPI can provide this service for a fee. This flexibility allows partners to make the program more relevant and impactful for their communities.

If your organization’s circumstances change during the program, please notify us as soon as possible. We will work with you to address the situation, and any participants who are currently enrolled in the program will still be able to complete their certification.

Recruiting participants is a key condition of the partnership. If your organization is unable to fulfil this requirement, it may not be able to participate in the program. We recommend assessing your capacity to recruit before committing to the partnership to ensure a successful collaboration.

No. The Certified Project Officer scholarships provided by CPI must be passed on to the selected recipients free of charge. The Partner may not impose any fees or costs on the recipients for access to the program.

Any costs incurred by the Partner in recruitment, support, delivery, administration, or any other related activities must be borne by the Partner in the course of their ordinary business or covered by other government or community sponsors.

No additional charges should be passed on to the recipients for these activities.

No, instead of a formal contract, we use a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to outline the partnership agreement. The MOU is a more flexible and collaborative document that reflects our commitment to working together rather than a legally binding contract.

It allows both parties to define roles, expectations, and responsibilities in a clear and straightforward way without the formalities and complexities of a contract.

A successful partnership is one in which both the organization and participants benefit from the program. Success can be measured by participants’ graduation rates, the positive impact of the certification on their careers, and the overall social and economic value added to the community.

Additionally, successful partnerships involve ethical promotion, active recruitment, ongoing communication with CPI, and sharing success stories to inspire others.

The $100 million social and economic value is an estimate based on the long-term impact of the certification on participants’ employability, career advancement, and contributions to their communities.

This value considers factors such as increased earnings, improved job performance, enhanced organizational effectiveness, and broader community benefits generated by more skilled and confident individuals.

These projections are modelled over a ten-year period, taking into account the cumulative effect of 4,000 new certifications annually.

Partner organizations are responsible for sharing success stories, and we encourage you to be creative! Whether through social media posts, videos, testimonials, or other formats, partners should tag CPI so we can regularly reshare these stories.

Success stories help inspire others and showcase the real-world benefits of the certification.

Yes, partner organizations are encouraged to maintain connections with their alumni and provide ongoing support.

Additionally, certified participants can join our online communities of practice, where they can network, share insights, and continue learning with other certification holders from around the globe.

We take security and privacy very seriously. All participants’ data is protected through industry-standard encryption and secure storage practices.

We also comply with relevant data protection regulations to ensure that participants’ personal information is handled responsibly. For more detailed information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.